City blue collar workers came out Monday evening to protest against select raises in Albany's 2017 proposed budget, chanting "no contract, no raises" and "Mayor (Kathy) Sheehan's got to go."

Dozens of Albany Blue Collar Workers Union employees flooded City Hall and the city Common Council Chambers during its Monday night meeting to express their frustration over the proposed raises for some non-union staff, while they remain without a current contract or any raises since 2013.

"They were trying to sneak those raises in," said Ed Blackman, a water repairman for the Albany Water Department and member of the union. "They should do it for white and blue collar" workers.

City administration officials have said the raises given for City Hall staff was to help remain competitive and retain employees. Departments eliminated positions or reduced the compensation of other spots to help limit the impact, officials said. The water department's budget is separate from the city budget.

The raises have been the focal point for many who have spoken out against the budget as well as some council members. They argue that it's inappropriate to give raises to select employees while city union contracts are expired and many have been without raises for several years. Council members do not negotiate union contracts and cannot adjust salaries within the city budget.

Union officials called for the administration to discuss salary increases in the context of all city employees, not just a select few.

"The city's failing to negotiate with us and being without a contract for three years is damaging our families and our morale," union President Frank Coons said. "The proposed raises should be removed from the budget."

Coons said the city should begin negotiations on a new contract and "fair raises."

"We stand in solidarity with all the city unions that are without a contract," he added.

During the last public hearing on the budget, city crossing guards – who recently unionized – criticized the city for delaying settling on a contract. SEIU Local 200United – representing about 60 school crossing guards in the city – is seeking a 3 percent raise for its employees, which officials have said would amount to about a $10,000 increase.

Other residents spoke in favor of expanding the trash fee to single-family homeowners, increasing financial support to the city's public access television channel and considering municipal internet to ensure greater access to high-speed connections.

The city council is continuing to mull over Sheehan's proposed $177 million budget, and its Finance Committee will meet again at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in City Court Room 209 to discuss possible recommendations.